On the question for agreeing to the clause disqualifying public debtors
N. H. no. Mass. no. Ct no. N. J. no. Pa no. Del. no. Md no. Va no. N. C. ay. S. C. no. Geo. ay.
Col. Mason, observed that it would be proper, as he thought, that some provision should be made in the Constitution agst choosing for the Seat of the Genl Govt the City or place at which the Seat of any State Govt might be fixt. There were 2 objections agst having them at the same place, which without mentioning others, required some precaution on the subject. The 1st was that it tended to produce disputes concerning jurisdiction. The 2d & principal one was that the intermixture of the two Legislatures tended to give a provincial tincture to ye Natl deliberations. He moved that the Come be instructed to receive a clause to prevent the seat of the Natl Govt being in the same City or town with the Seat of the Govt of any State longer than untill the necessary public buildings could be erected.
Mr Alex. Martin 2ded the motion.
Mr Govr Morris did not dislike the idea, but was apprehensive that such a clause might make enemies of Philada & N. York which had expectations of becoming the Seat of the Genl Govt.
Mr Langdon approved the idea also: but suggested the case of a State moving its seat of Govt to the natl Seat after the erection of the Public buildings.
Mr Ghorum. The precaution may be evaded by the Natl Legislre by delaying to erect the Public buildings.
Mr Gerry conceived it to be the genl sense of America, that neither the Seat of a State Govt nor any large commercial City should be the seat of the Genl Govt.
Mr Williamson liked the idea, but knowing how much the passions of men were agitated by this matter, was apprehensive of turning them agst the System. He apprehended also that an evasion, might be practised in the way hinted by Mr Ghorum.
Mr Pinkney thought the Seat of a State Govt ought to be avoided; but that a large town or its vicinity would be proper for the Seat of the Genl Govt.